UPPER MERION — Firefighters responded to a substantial brush fire that started in the township compost area adjacent to Heuser Park Tuesday. The blaze was reported shortly before 9:30 a.m. and was fully involved by the time first responders arrived at the scene.

Westbound traffic on West Beidler Road near the park’s entrance on Geerdes Boulevard was diverted to the turning lanes.

The fire started from brush and foliage debris stored at the site in preparation to be turned into mulch. According to Fire Chief Jim Gallagher of the King of Prussia Volunteer Fire Company, the fire originated deep in a patch of material nearly 75 feet long, 20 feet wide and 12 feet high. The biggest concern for Gallagher was the billowing smoke which could be seen and smelled from over a half mile away. Heuser Park was closed as a precautionary measure, but residents near the park were not at risk.

The manpower intensive firefighting effort drew assistance from the King of Prussia, Swedesburg, Goodwill, Berwyn and Radnor and Valley Forge fire companies. Lafayette, Narberth, Plymouth and Lower Providence ambulance services were on site providing support and manning a rehab tent for firefighters on rotation. As a precaution, one firefighter was taken by Lower Providence Ambulance to a local hospital for symptoms indicative of heat exhaustion.

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The blaze was brought under control by noon, but the scene will remain active until the fire is totally extinguished.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation but Gallagher said it’s possible for the kind of material involved to self-combust.